Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth Shifts Focus to Security

Catholic churches in Fort Worth have removed signs banning guns, but that doesn't mean the policy has changed.

• By Sydny Shepard
• Jul 09, 2018

The Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth is taking new steps to improve security, including taking down signs that warn people not to carry guns on church property.

A team of security advisers told the Diocese the signs could make them a more obvious target for someone who wants to do them harm, since they would be tipped off that no one on the property would be armed. Although the signs will be coming down, the houses of worship are not changing their policies on guns.

"When you [place signs banning guns] you're effectively advertising a gun-free zone," a active parishioner at St. Patrick's Cathedral, with a license to carry, said. "And when you advertise a gun-free zone, you're advertising also that your location is vulnerable."

After the tragic mass shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth hired a team of security consultants who urged them to take down the signs as well as invest in other security measures such as hiring off-duty police officers, training security teams from the congregation and adding fencing or security cameras.